Panetta: Iran Influence in South America Is ‘Terrorism’

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, while on a trip to Colombia, claimed that Iranian attempts to expand its influence in South America amounted to “expanding terrorism.”

“We always have a concern about in particular the [Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps] and [their] efforts . . . to expand their influence not only throughout the Middle East but into [South America] as well,” Panetta told reporters Monday.

“That, in my book, that relates to expanding terrorism. And that’s one of the areas that I think all of us are concerned about,” he added.

The State Department, too, concluded in their Country Reports on Terrorism (issued August 2010) that “the threat of a transnational terrorist attack remained low for most countries in the Western Hemisphere” and that “there were no known operational cells of either al-Qa’ida- or Hizbollah-related groups in the hemisphere.”

Aside from the lack of evidence for any rising Iranian military or proxy threat south of the border, the fact that Panetta would voice concern here is revealing. For over a hundred years, the United States has wrought terror, war, poverty, and repression throughout Latin America in the form of CIA-orchestrated military coups, support of terrorists and undemocratic regimes, and a very bloody war on drugs, all while peppering the entire region with the U.S. military.

And while criticizing Iran for an essentially non-existent interference in South America, the U.S. continues to intervene militarily all over the Middle East, with a similar history of military coups, war crimes, and propping up dictatorships. To criticize Iran for such meddling is patently hypocritical.

DoD reported today the death of six U.S. soldiers including the four who died last Thursday, April 19 when their Blackhawk helicopter went down in Helmand province. Two other soldiers died in an IED attack in Paktika province on Sunday April 22. Another U.S. Marine died in Helmand province on Sunday, April 22. At least a dozen U.S. soldiers have died in Helmand in the last thirty days.

Okay and, this is probably conclusive psychiatric evidence that SecDef Uncle Leon is out his freaking mind.
"Iranian influence in South America!" Mothers lock up your daughters and fathers hide your sons. You know, cause loony Uncle Leon is going to want to send them off to Bogata to die. Or Caracas or Buenos Aires or Rio or DEEP in the Amazon. Uncle Leon is simply an embarrassment at this point.

Wow, every time he opens his mouth, the more convinced I become that Panetta's a candidate for being chased by guys in white suits with butterfly nets who want to put Panetta in a straight jacket and a padded cell. This guy is seriously delusional.

Although, this is nothing new in terms of justifying American terror south of the border. Goes back as far as Ronald Raygun's delusions that Cubans would soon be marching on Texas from their giant bases in Nicaragua.

He thinks this is something 'on which we all agree'. This is frightening. Some collective psychoneurosis in DC and NYC. They think 'classified' means 'non-public truth' when it actually means 'insulated from competent critical review'.

What makes me laugh is that the greatest terrorism purveyor the world has ever seen, the US, 'owner' of the largest terrorist organisation the world has ever seen, the CIA, accuses others of its own crimes.

I had a friend once who had a very old bird dog. This old dog was bony, half hairless and completely toothless and paced neurotically back and forth, balls dragging on the floor and wolfing at something that only he could see. It was a bit sad but I couldn't help but laugh at the sight of it. This is a memory that came back to me as I was trying to get into Panetta's head to understand just what he could be thinking.

Any economical cooperation or increased trade between South America and Iran, this means less paycheck income and profit on 401k investments for the American voting majority. What loosing elections is all about, for our 51% most wealthy who have a monopoly on the voting process, anger hath no equal as when you harm their excessive wealth.

Being a tin foil individual I do believe he is correct. Iran is clearly keeping Israel out of Lebanon. As long as Iran is providing weapons to the Hezbollah Israel will not invade. THe IDF so hates to attack armed forces. They are more into unarmed old woman and children. Israel is out of water and the continue drought is causing major problems. I have read so many articles of the relaxing IDF in Patagonia. I just do not believe they are their on vacation as claimed. They are their as advanced trouble makers. Empire Israel cannot expand if they have to worry about the little nation of Lebanon having lots of water while the poor people of Israel suffer. Of course you could wonder why they continue to try to attack more immigrants of the correct religion when they have such a major water shortage. Then again how many of the Israel population are dual citizens and probably never been to israel.

Prior to Zionist taking complete control of the US government, American leaders never displayed paranoia when dealing with other countries. The fact that they do so today, tells me that Israel now dominates all aspects of US foreign policy.

It's a colossal disgrace that the U.S. Government subordinates American interests to those of Israel. When future historians are mulling over the ruins of the United States, they'll sure wonder about that. . . .

Leon Panetta has probably some "one month Swindle course" – quick Master Decree from Tel Aviv university. O, how to explain such stupidity and arrogance… so many imbecils in US politics, I hope Ron Paul wins and clean this nest of a….holes and witches,,

come on already, you're lookin desperate and sounding foolish…join the neverending parade of people who have ruined their careers and reputations since 9/11 Wars began…
US influence in MENA is terrorism too, isn't it?

Come again? Did I read it right? How desparate are some circles to push for war on Iran. Push, push, push — we need more wars to keep the bankers happy. More wars, more government spending, more money invented our of the thin air and typed into computer screens. It is all monopoly money, until someday, we are reprimanded for living lavishly, and will have to tighten our belts.